Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Sheila North received a professional champion award from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) May 11 in recognition of her work supporting mental health and wellness initiatives in Indigenous communities.

“Ms. North was selected due to her leadership role in work to support Indigenous women and girls who have been neglected, harmed or murdered, due to their gender, their lack of power in society, and the fact that they are Indigenous,” said CCPA national president John Driscoll in a press release. “She is an example for all those who aspire to serve, to lead, and to advocate for people who are treated unjustly, especially women.”